Defaulting commercial units face closure threat

Thousands of commercial establishments may face closure in the city as they have not paid conversion charges. The East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) has already taken the lead by serving notices to 53 commercial units running in Patparganj and Jhilmil. The units will be shut in a fortnight.

Thousands of commercial establishments may face closure in the city as they have not paid conversion charges. The East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) has already taken the lead by serving notices to 53 commercial units running in Patparganj and Jhilmil. The units will be shut in a fortnight.

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The conversion charges are to be paid to the civic bodies for setting up commercial establishments in areas marked for residential purpose.s The Master Plan Delhi 2021 permits certain commercial, professional or other activities in residential properties of some categories.

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) and the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) will follow EDMC in serving notices to establishments under mis-use of land as laid down by the Master Plan.

Both the corporations have ordered a survey of properties so that the actual numbers can be ascertained. According to officials, the numbers will run into a few thousands.

“The unified MCD had also been initiating drives to shut down establishments fleecing the civic body but was never successful in fully realising it. After the split, the three corporations are reviving the drive again,” said a senior official of NDMC.

Giving details of the current drive at EDMC, an official said that 54 establishments in Patparganj and Jhilmil have been served notices in the past to pay up the charges but they chose to ignore the warnings.

“Only one establishment coughed up the fee and so has been spared. The rest will be sealed according to the rules,” said the official. He added that more establishments will be sent notices soon.

“All three corporations are short of funds and so are leaving no stone unturned to improve their finances,” he said.